Former Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob today claimed many will follow him if he were to quit Umno.

Adnan's statement came a day after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned of "enemies within" who were working to topple the BN government in Pahang.

However, Adnan said Zahid did not have to worry as he did not intend to leave Umno.

"As a senior person, I am advising the president to not panic during this time when Umno is unstable. Don’t make more enemies.

"I am merely thinking of the fate of the (current) Pahang Menteri Besar (Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail) whom I regard as a younger brother,' he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Adnan, who is the Pelangi assemblyperson, said he "did not wield that much influence" but could still ask a substantial number of state assemblypersons to follow him.

"I was only a menteri besar for 19 years. If I were to declare myself as an independent today, a large number of state assemblypersons would follow me.

“I’m not boasting about being able to topple the Pahang BN government. That’s not my intention.

"For now, I am a solid Umno member. It’s only Umno that appears to be less than solid at the moment,” he was quoted as saying.

The report said Adnan's statement was shared by Sembrong MP and former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein who had also been accused of orchestrating the defection of Umno MPs.

Hishammuddin has denied such allegations.